GR Overview NEW

A Scientific Approach to Extending Runway Performance and Life While Reducing Cost

Realize a significant savings in overall costs immediately and for the next 20+ years based on dramatic savings in gravel, maintenance, dust control and aircraft damage costs. Midwest believes in preventative, proactive gravel runway protection now instead of spending unnecessary money year after year after year.

Midwest has already helped over 100 gravel runway operators vastly improve runway performance while saving money. We have a program for any runway situation — from rehabilitation or reconstruction, to long-term stabilization or preventing fugitive dust emissions for existing runways.

Midwest SECUR® Gravel Runway Stabilization
creates a superior hard surface gravel runway designed to be consistently more stable, stronger and longer lasting.

Midwest Fines Preservation
delivers a long-term and FOD-free runway that requires far less maintenance and material replacement.

Midwest Dust Control
produces a dust-free runway that lasts up to 2 seasons without reapplication.

University-tested and approved

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology Freeze/Thaw testing of EK35 proves that the SECUR Stabilization System is the only solution to withstand freeze/thaw cycles. Consider these statements from the published results:

“The properties of the treated aggregate [with EK35] do not significantly change after exposure to freezing-thawing actions, thus representing a promising solution for road construction in cold regions.”

“Properly adheres to the aggregates when exposed to severe mechanical actions, also in wet conditions, and therefore exhibits very limited leaching potential.”

“The synthetic fluid does not freeze, its effectiveness does not seem to be impaired by rigid temperatures in harsh environments, and therefore can be adopted in remote communities in cold regions as documented in a few other studies.”

“Different from other stabilizing agents, the peculiarity of the investigated technology is its ability to not set up and to not dry with time. The synthetic fluid can be reactivated by means of reshaping and ripping operation in the field as it turns from a liquid into a waxy solid after application.”

Download the full study (PDF)

Download an executive summary of the published report (PDF)

THE TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION LEADER IN GRAVEL RUNWAY SOLUTIONS

Over the last 20 years, Midwest has been dedicated to perfecting our product technologies, installation, and maintenance techniques and application equipment. You get superior and consistent performance, the most effective you can find, with programs designed specifically for gravel runways.

Our solutions are based on research and development and formulation innovations resulting from partnerships with the most respected independent agencies, engineers, environmental scientists, airport operators and pilots. As the world's leader in the enhancement and protection of remote and community surfaces, Midwest’s gravel runway team has a combined experience of more than 100 years treating, maintaining and monitoring unpaved runways. In fact, we have installed our technologies on over 100 different gravel runways throughout North America.

MIDWEST’S APPROACH TO RUNWAY MANAGEMENT

Maintain the as-constructed condition of your runway while spending the least possible. The goal of Midwest’s Gravel Runway program is to provide a safe and operable runway system at the lowest feasible cost. You get the runway you need and obtain the greatest return for the funds invested.

As the chart illustrates, it is more economical and beneficial to take a proactive approach to preserving your runway rather than postponing until a major rehabilitation or a full reconstruction is required. As soon as you see dust on the runway after construction, your material and investment is blowing away and the runway deterioration has begun.

Simply put, as the condition of the runway deteriorates over time, the cost of doing maintenance will sharply increase.

Midwest’s program maintains the as-constructed condition of the runway with the smallest expenditure. You can extend good runway conditions and prolong the usable life of the runway much longer using one of Midwest’s high-performing binder systems during runway reconstruction or resurfacing.

The benefit of this approach is it identifies the best time to effectively invest funds. Maintenance programs often target remedial needs rather than preventative, proactive maintenance that will deliver the expected outcomes and results you require. Additionally it is far more economical to apply funds early, when the runway condition is optimum and maintenance is viable,rather than spend much more to improve a deteriorated runway that's reached a very poor or failed condition.

We believe by spending 2-5% more during the reconstruction of a remote unpaved runway costing $8,000,000 to $15,000,000 would extend the life of your investment in the runway by 10+ years before any gravel needs to be added.

Contact one of our Gravel Runway representatives to diagnose and discover the installation system that would be best for you and to determine how much cost savings can be realized at your runway. We will use your current cost information to identify areas of direct cost and performance improvements.

SECUR® STABILIZATION SYSTEM

Definition: Chemically modifying the runway aggregate to improve its engineering properties including load-bearing capacity, water resistance, extended year-round usage, and resistance to climate change impacts.

Long-term duration

Best used for runway reconstruction or major rehabilitation projects

Blended application

Proactive approach

Resulting in Scientifically Engineered and Constructed Unpaved Runway (SECUR)

A gravel runway constructed to a hard surface that’s more stable and FOD-free, providing improved strength, longevity, durability and overall performance.

FINES PRESERVATION

Definition: The long-term preservation of aggregate and fines in the as-constructed state of the runway, through the incorporation of a high-perfoming binder that locks all fines and particles together.

Long-term duration

Best used for existing runways in good condition, or runway rehabilitation/overlay projects

Topical application

Proactive approach

Resulting in an improved gravel runway

An unpaved runway in which the surface has been topically treated with a binder system to create a hardbound, FOD-free gravel surface that provides improved performance, durability and longevity.

DUST CONTROL

Definition: The suppression of critical airborne fines.

Short-term duration

Best used on existing runways (between maintenance work)

Topical application

Reactive approach

Resulting in an unpaved runway

A dust-free runway with an unpaved surface, constructed from unbound granular surface composed of sand, clay, crushed stone or other soil materials.

OUR VALUE PROPOSITIONS TO IMPROVE SAVINGS AND PERFORMANCE

Cost Components	Current	Dust Palliative
Length of Runway (ft)	3,500	3,500
Width of Runway (ft)	150	150
Area of Runway (sq ft)	525,000	525,000
Cost of Gravel (per cubic yard)	$185.00	$185.00
Frequency of Gravel Overlays (years)	5	5
Thickness of Overlay (inches)	4	4
Cost per Overlay	$1,199,074.07	$1,199,074.07
20 Year Gravel Cost	$4,796,296.30	$3,996,913.58
Average Annual Maintenance Costs	$20,000.00	$16,000.00
20 Year Maintenance Cost	$400,000.00	$320,000.00
Average Annual Cost of Dust Control	$20,000.00	$39,375.00
20 Year Product Cost	$0.00	$787,500.00
Average Annual Cost of Aircraft Damage	$25,000.00	$22,500.00
20 Year Damage Cost	$500,000.00	$450,000.00
Total 20 Year Cost	$5,696,296.30	$5,554,413.58
Total 20 Year Cost Savings	NA	$141,882.72
% Cost Savings over 20 Years	NA	2%

Cost Components	Current	Fines Preservation
Length of Runway (ft)	3,500	3,500
Width of Runway (ft)	150	150
Area of Runway (sq ft)	525,000	525,000
Cost of Gravel (per cubic yard)	$185.00	$185.00
Frequency of Gravel Overlays (years)	5	7.5
Thickness of Overlay (inches)	4	4
Cost per Overlay	$1,199,074.07	$1,199,074.07
20 Year Gravel Cost	$4,796,296.30	$3,197,530.85
Average Annual Maintenance Costs	$20,000.00	$6,000.00
20 Year Maintenance Cost	$400,000.00	$120,000.00
Average Annual Cost of Dust Control	$20,000.00	$70,888.13
20 Year Product Cost	$0.00	$1,417,762.50
Average Annual Cost of Aircraft Damage	$25,000.00	$12,500.00
20 Year Damage Cost	$500,000.00	$250,000.00
Total 20 Year Cost	$5,696,296.30	$4,985,293.36
Total 20 Year Cost Savings	NA	$711,002.93
% Cost Savings over 20 Years	NA	12%

Cost Components	Current	SECUR System
Length of Runway (ft)	3,500	3,500
Width of Runway (ft)	150	150
Area of Runway (sq ft)	525,000	525,000
Cost of Gravel (per cubic yard)	$185.00	$185.00
Frequency of Gravel Overlays (years)	5	10
Thickness of Overlay (inches)	4	4
Cost per Overlay	$1,199,074.07	$1,199,074.07
20 Year Gravel Cost	$4,796,296.30	$2,398,148.15
Average Annual Maintenance Costs	$20,000.00	$3,000.00
20 Year Maintenance Cost	$400,000.00	$60,000.00
Average Annual Cost of Dust Control	$20,000.00	$83,776.88
20 Year Product Cost	$0.00	$1,675,537.50
Average Annual Cost of Aircraft Damage	$25,000.00	$2,500.00
20 Year Damage Cost	$500,000.00	$50,000.00
Total 20 Year Cost	$5,696,296.30	$4,183,685.65
Total 20 Year Cost Savings	NA	$1,512,610.65
% Cost Savings over 20 Years	NA	27%

Cost Components	Current	Dust Palliative	Fines Preservation	SECUR System
Length of Runway (ft)	3,500	3,500	3,500	3,500
Width of Runway (ft)	150	150	150	150
Area of Runway (sq ft)	525,000	525,000	525,000	525,000
Cost of Gravel (per cubic yard)	$185.00	$185.00	$185.00	$185.00
Frequency of Gravel Overlays (years)	5	5	7.5	10
Thickness of Overlay (inches)	4	4	4	4
Cost per Overlay	$1,199,074.07	$1,199,074.07	$1,199,074.07	$1,199,074.07
20 Year Gravel Cost	$4,796,296.30	$3,996,913.58	$3,197,530.85	$2,398,148.15
Average Annual Maintenance Costs	$20,000.00	$16,000.00	$6,000.00	$3,000.00
20 Year Maintenance Cost	$400,000.00	$320,000.00	$120,000.00	$60,000.00
Average Annual Cost of Dust Control	$20,000.00	$39,375.00	$70,888.13	$83,776.88
20 Year Product Cost	$0.00	$787,500.00	$1,417,762.50	$1,675,537.50
Average Annual Cost of Aircraft Damage	$25,000.00	$22,500.00	$12,500.00	$2,500.00
20 Year Damage Cost	$500,000.00	$450,000.00	$250,000.00	$50,000.00
Total 20 Year Cost	$5,696,296.30	$5,554,413.58	$4,985,293.36	$4,183,685.65
Total 20 Year Cost Savings	NA	$141,882.72	$711,002.93	$1,512,610.65
% Cost Savings over 20 Years	NA	2%	12%	27%

THE MIDWEST SECUR® GRAVEL RUNWAY STABILIZATION SYSTEM

Benefits: Superior stability, strength, longevity and performance.

When recommended: Reconstruction or rebuild.

Midwest’s Scientifically Engineered and Constructed Unpaved Runway (SECUR®) Stabilization System creates a hard runway surface course for improved aircraft performance and safety. Your gravel runway will achieve a measurable improvement in overall performance that’s more stable, stronger, longer lasting and FOD-free.

Our patented [or proprietary] stabilization solution is installed during a major reconstruction or rebuild. By following Midwest’s construction practices and incorporating our EK35 into the upper 4-6” of the runway surface, you experience critical long-term life-cycle operational benefits.

Learn more.

Gravel Runway Resurfacing SECUR Stabilization System Results Midwest

MIDWEST’S FINES PRESERVATION SYSTEM

Benefits: Bound surface free of gravel FOD, save on upkeep and materials replacement, and improved aircraft performance.

When recommended: Existing runway that needs protection or enhancement.

The Midwest Fines Preservation System delivers great value when an existing runway only needs a 3-to-4 inch gravel lift or if the runway is in reasonably good shape.

Reprofiling and compaction is followed by the topical application of one of our Fines Preservation high-performing binding systems, to deliver long-term performance enhancement through proactive application.

The result is a bound, FOD-free runway surface that preserves the runway’s aggregate and fines, improves the performance of the runway and lowers the lifecycle costs by reducing maintenance and aggregate replacement costs.

Learn more.

Gravel Runway Resurfacing Fines Preservation System Results Midwest

MIDWEST’S DUST CONTROL TOPICAL TREATMENT

Benefits: Dust-Free, improved safety and visablilty.

When recommended: Existing runway between scheduled maintenance.

Dust control provides an effective and economical solution for preventing fugitive dust emissions on existing runways between maintenance work. Its performance can last up to two seasons without reapplication.

The result is a dust-free surface that both reduces upkeep and improves the health and safety of pilots, passengers and aircraft. A quality dust control plan can extend the life of the runway and delay costly gravel replacement.

Learn more.

Gravel Runway Resurfacing Dust Control System Results Midwest

Midwest Improves the Quality of Life in Remote Communities

Problem: Transportation is the backbone of all communities and critical to the quality of life of residents in remote Northern villages and communities.

In Alaska, 82% of villages are not accessible by road. In fact, 251 native villages rely solely on their local airstrips to provide the vital link to necessities such as food, mail, healthcare, higher education and travel. Remote communities in Northern Canada face similar infrastructure limitations, with no road system connecting Nunavut’s 26 communities and with only 19% of Northwest Territory residents having year-round highway access. Remote communities in Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec face similar challenges and conditions.

Equally important is the safety and health of the residents who live in these villages and communities. When not properly treated and maintained, unpaved runways produce high levels of dust, which has a profound negative impact on the health of the environment and residents.

Solution: Midwest’s customized gravel runway solutions have helped Alaskan and Northern Canadian rural communities vastly improve their quality of life and socio-economic conditions without sacrificing stewardship, safety and environmental responsibilities.

– Elimination of dust emission and the associated health impacts created by nearby runway operations –
– Improved and reliable means for medivac operations and transportation –
– Dependable, year-round transportation of food, supplies, services and people –
– Reliable access and transportation that has increased tourism and aviation-related commerce –
– Enabled increased payloads of delivered and shipped goods –
– Safe and reliable transportation for recreation and social events, including high school sports, as well as access to state/national parks and other locales –

WANT THE MOST ADVANCED GRAVEL RUNWAY TECHNOLOGY IN THE WORLD?

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